1 20 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



tomers ; though I cannot go the length of some writers 

 upon the state of society, who, taking exception for 

 rule, and forgetting the vast disproportion which the 

 aristocracy bears in numbers, — are disposed to arrogate 

 to the middling classes an undue share of the whole 

 moral worth and honour of the nation. I am writing 

 upon a sport, a noble science exclusively appertaining 

 to gentlemen, not to rich men who can afford to keep 

 hounds and horses, but to English gentlemen, in the 

 most literal sense and meaning of the term ; and next 

 to maintaining the character, I would have a man 

 assume, at all times, the appearance of a gentleman. 

 A young man is less likely to err in attention to dress, 

 than in slovenUness — the former will wear off, the 

 latter will grow upon him. The demi-rep roue style, 

 adopted by too many leaders of fashion in the present 

 generation, as fully evinces the very acme of mauvais 

 ton, as that of the past was characteristic of high breed- 

 ing. It is true that a man possessing I'air nohle, cannot 

 thoroughly disguise himself, aided by all the ingenuity 

 of his tailor to that effect ; nor could the most unex- 

 ceptionable attire impart that same "air' to the parvenu; 

 but now, that black and coloured neckcloths have super- 

 ceded the unsullied white, redolent of the labours of 

 the laundry ; — now, that trousers have entirely taken 

 place of those leather continuations which formerly 

 manifested, with the rest of the wardrobe, ^ the careful 

 offices of valet and attendants — there is not the same 

 outward distinction between the peer and the apprentice. 



